Polling concludes in first phase of AJK elections as vote count continues

MIRPUR: Polling concluded in Azad Jammu and Kashmir's Mirpur Division on Monday as counting of votes continued at polling stations in accordance with the Election Commission's procedures.

The electoral commission announced less than a week before polls that voting would be split into three phases for the first time.

Voting for the local legislature will take place in three rounds.

Talking to the media in Mirpur on Monday, Chief Election Commissioner of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (CECAJK), Justice (R) Ghulam Mustafa Mughal, said that elections were the only opportunity wherein people can elect representatives of their choice by using the right of franchise. 

"People should not compromise on their votes and come out to vote."

He assured that effective security arrangements are in place for voters to reach the polling stations.

He appealed to the public not to pay heed to rumors and cast their votes on time.

Earlier, polling commenced in Mirpur Division on Monday for the first phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly elections. Voters cast their ballots under heightened security, with election authorities assuring a free, fair, and transparent electoral process.

Mughal appealed to voters to exercise their democratic right peacefully and urged them to come out without fear or hesitation.

"Come out without fear or hesitation and exercise your democratic right," the Chief Election Commissioner said in a message to voters. "Every vote is a national trust, and voters should express their choice responsibly."

Justice Mughal said effective security arrangements had been completed at all polling stations, while law enforcement agencies were fully mobilized to perform election duties.

"The Election Commission remains committed to conducting free, fair and transparent elections," he said, urging voters to observe the Election Commission's Code of Conduct, avoid rumors and rely only on authentic information.

He also warned that violations of the law during the electoral process would not be tolerated and advised voters to carry their original Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC) to polling stations.

While the Election Commission assured voters that all arrangements had been finalized, election officials spent the night safeguarding polling materials at polling stations across Mirpur Division.

Speaking to Pakistan TV Digital from Government Boys High School in Mirpur's F-1 Sector, Presiding Officer Dr Naveed Akram said the polling station was among the largest in Mirpur in terms of registered voter strength.

"Actually, this is one of the biggest polling stations in Mirpur, Azad Kashmir, based on the valid voter strength," he said.

Akram said two presiding officers had been directed by the Returning Officer to remain at the polling station throughout the night to safeguard polling materials until voting commenced.

"We are directed by the Returning Officer that we have to be present here for the whole night. We are here for security reasons," he told Pakistan TV Digital.

"We will look after this material, and we will stay here for the whole night. This is our main duty."

Strict security arrangements

Earlier, the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Press Information Department said polling materials had been dispatched under the supervision of District Returning Officer Jahangir Ahmed Jarral.

According to the department, polling materials were delivered to all 611 polling stations in Mirpur district, while presiding officers were deployed to their assigned polling stations under strict security arrangements.

The department said all administrative preparations had been completed for polling in the district's four constituencies. A total of 3,643 election personnel had been deployed to conduct the electoral process, while 320 polling stations categorized as highly sensitive were provided with enhanced security measures.

The 2026 AJK Legislative Assembly elections are being conducted in three phases for the first time, with 13 of the Assembly's 45 directly elected constituencies voting in the opening phase across Mirpur Division.

Later in the day, CEC Mughal extended the polls by one hour in Mirpur Division due to the unusual voter turnout, with polling to continue till 6pm. 

Voting will wrap up on August 10 in Poonch district.